Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — In celebration of World Environment Day (WED), Pertamina introduced the Abhipraya Waste Bank CSR program in Cilacap Regency, Central Java Province. This initiative aligns with the WED theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution.”
The Abhipraya Waste Bank is a community-driven program supported by Pertamina’s Cilacap Refinery Unit and managed by the residents of Kutawaru Village. It focuses on community-based plastic and organic waste management, aiming to reduce waste while creating economic value.
Cecep Supriyatna, Area Manager of Communication, Relations & CSR at Refinery Unit IV Cilacap, stated that through the Abhipraya Waste Bank, Pertamina is helping the community recognize the untapped potential of waste.
“With the facilities and training provided by Pertamina, the community can now transform waste into savings, fuel, compost, and recycled products,” Cecep explained in an official statement on Thursday (May 5, 2025).
The program includes equipment such as a plastic shredder machine, a manual injection tool for making mini pots, and a composter for processing organic waste. Additionally, residents have developed maggot farming methods as a solution for organic waste management and as a source of fish feed.
Ahmad Sobri, a local champion of the Abhipraya Waste Bank, shared the positive impact of the program, which has proven effective in addressing environmental issues while improving the community’s economy.
“We used to throw trash into the river or burn it. Now, with the waste bank and support from Pertamina, people are sorting and depositing waste regularly. The proceeds can be exchanged for daily necessities or saved as credit,” said Ahmad.
According to him, the presence of the waste bank has significantly raised environmental awareness among residents and encouraged the practice of a circular economy in areas like Kutawaru, which face limited access to transportation.
Rudi Ariffianto, VP of CSR & SMEPP Management at Pertamina, emphasized that Pertamina remains committed to implementing sustainable CSR programs that address environmental challenges.
“We’re using the momentum of World Environment Day to strengthen collaboration with communities. Waste management and coastal preservation are our main focus in building a cleaner and more sustainable future,” Rudi said.
Also in commemoration of World Environment Day, Pertamina carried out a symbolic planting of 100 mangrove seedlings at the Si Manja Mangrove Ecotourism area.
In collaboration with local communities and tourism awareness groups, Pertamina aims to plant 5,000 mangrove seedlings as part of efforts to restore coastal ecosystems. This initiative is part of the Berdikari Energy Village Program.
The activity was driven by challenges such as coastline degradation due to high erosion rates, limited use of technology in mangrove ecosystem management, and a lack of viable livelihood alternatives for coastal communities.
The community empowerment model based on the mangrove ecosystem aims to boost incomes through tourism while preserving nature.
Through a collaborative approach, Pertamina’s program focuses not only on ecological aspects but also on developing mangrove-based tourism, which has the potential to become a source of local revenue and strengthen the surrounding community’s economy.
As a leading company in energy transition, Pertamina is committed to supporting the 2060 Net Zero Emission target by continuously advancing programs that contribute directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
All of these efforts are aligned with the implementation of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) principles across Pertamina’s business and operations. (*)
